My dog has an elbow bump. Is it a hygroma? Can I wait to see a vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could also be a hygroma. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Thank you for your question. A swelling like this could be a couple of things. If Blue does not appear painful and is not limping, this may just be a hygroma, which is just a fluid filled swelling from laying on the hard ground. If this is the case, I would simply recommend soft bedding, and try to keep him from laying directly on the hard floor, and it should improve over 2-3 weeks. If it is painful to the touch, hot, or if Blue is limping, this could be an infection and he should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as you can get him in. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That's a good size growth. This could be benign or malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give Tana's vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment.

Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps are usually one of these things: * abscess * cyst * cancer tumor (benign or malignant) * wart There is no way I can tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion it is a histiocytoma (benign tumor). It is best to have this checked out by your vet. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet so I'm glad you are planning a vet visit. Lumps are usually one of these things: * abscess * cyst * tumor/cancer There is no way I can tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion it is a tumor of some sort; may be benign or malignant. Your vet will be able to tell you more after the exam.

Hello. Louie is very young to develop any masses, but it is possible. It is also possible that he injured the joint & this is joint fluid collecting under the skin. The most likely possibility is this is a hygroma. What has probably happened is Louie was resting on a fairly hard surface & the pressure of his weight has created tissue damage over the elbow bones. A fluid pocket forms as the body tries to produce its own cushioning. I do encourage you to have your veterinarian examine this, but do change his bedding to something much softer & pliant, as the hygroma may simply begin to resolve on its own over the next 2-3 weeks. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, It looks to me as though Shadow may have a hygroma. This is a false bursa that develops over bony prominences, commonly the elbow, due to repeated trauma from pressure points while lying down on or hitting the elbows on hard surfaces. This repeated trauma creates an inflammatory response, which results in a dense-walled, fluid-filled cavity. Overtime, severe inflammation may develop, and ulceration, infection, even abscesses can form on the hygroma. To prevent this from getting worse, provide plenty of soft padding and soft bedding for Shadow to have to prevent more trauma to the area. In minor cases even elbow pads can be bought for dogs. For severe cases, surgeries can be performed to try to cosmetically fix the area after flushing, draining and repairing the areas. Hope this helps! -Dr. Gordon